The other’s incredulity grated on Adam’s nerves. Hell, he’d started in this business whilst the other had been toddling around in nappies on a country estate somewhere. Although he didn’t often dirty his hands these days, he had full possession of the skills he’d honed in the streets. There was no bloody reason for Murray to treat him as if he were some ancient relic incapable of handling himself in a fight.
“To get the job done properly, I’ll have to do it myself,” Adam said shortly.
He leapt onto the dock, heading into the heart of the melee.
Through the smoke and grappling figures, he spotted Kerrigan. A brute had Adam’s guard pinned to the ground, a blade poised above the other’s neck. Adam took aim and discharged his pistol; the brute slumped to the side, and Kerrigan shoved him off, sitting up and gasping. Before Adam could go over, he was tackled from behind, his used pistol skittering across the dock.
Adam rolled with his opponent, using momentum to gain the upper hand. He plowed his gloved fist into the other’s face, the crunch of bone a visceral satisfaction. He evaded the other’s clawing hands, landing punch after punch. When he stood over his vanquished foe, bloodlust flowed hotly through his veins.
Leading the charge, he dispatched another pair of villains, one with his pistol, the other with the blade he unsheathed from his boot.Just like old times.His mind was crystal-clear, cold, focused as his muscles burned pleasantly from use. He took on attackers from left and right, leaving a trail of incapacitated enemies in his wake.
Finally, chest heaving, he arrived at the side of the dock, assessing the situation. He and his men had gained the upper hand now; the enemy either lay fallen or were running off with their tails between their legs. In the distance, he heard the shouts of victory from Tessa Kent’s army, who’d charged the front of the warehouse.
Another victory…and another step closer to my vengeance.
For Tessa was now in his debt. She owed him for his part in the conquest tonight, and he would be calling in that favor when the time came. While he eviscerated De Villier financially, he might request the use of Tessa’s men to dismantle De Villier’s railway foundry brick by brick…best not to leave any loose ends, after all.
As heady triumph filled him, his thoughts veered unexpectedly toward Gabriella. He flashed to an image of her innocently sleeping in her bed, and the heat in his blood reached a boiling point. There was no better way to discharge the aftermath of battle than fucking.
He wondered if he could allow himself to break his own rules twice in one day. He probably shouldn’t. But the notion of burying himself in his wife’s tight, wet quim, losing himself in her sweetness—
A movement caught the corner of his eye. A man coming out of nowhere, running toward him, pistol glinting…
Christ.
The thought exploded in his head as gunfire ripped through the night. The punch of the bullet made him stagger, his feet losing purchase. Suddenly, he was falling backward through the air. His head struck something, pain erupting, red splattering his vision. He heard a splash, felt the cold downward drag. Before panic could claw its way to the surface, icy blackness closed over him.
10
After tuckingthe exhausted children into bed, Gabby went to her chambers.
Although she was physically tired, sleep eluded her. She lay awake, watching shadows chase across the embroidered vines of the canopy. She’d left the lamp on, a behavior carried over from her childhood. Back then, she’d been afraid of the dark, convinced that monsters lurked in the wardrobe and beneath the bed. She’d wake up in the middle of the night, bathed in sweat, nameless dread pounding in her heart.
The phantom worries followed her into adolescence and womanhood. The truth was she’d never been a sound sleeper. Indeed, the only thing that seemed to help was when Adam made his weekly bedtime visits. After making love to her, he would stay until she fell asleep.
She always slept well on Wednesday nights.
Thinking of her husband caused the tide of worry to rise ever higher. She glanced anxiously at the Ormolu clock on her bedside table.
It’s nearly two in the morning. Where is he? Something’s wrong, I can feel it…
At the sound of voices, she bolted upright against the pillows. Relief filled her as she heard footsteps coming up the stairs. She jumped out of bed, dragging on a wrapper.
Adam’s back.She hugged the knowledge to herself.Everything is all right.
She heard a knock on her bedroom door and dashed over, flinging it open.
Nell stood there. The maid’s apple-cheeked face was unusually somber.
Gabby’s giddiness fizzled. “What’s happened? Where’s Mr. Garrity?”
“He’s back, ma’am. With Mr. Murray. There’s a physician with them—”
Gabby didn’t wait to hear more. She was already running, fear propelling every step. She burst into Adam’s suite. Mr. Murray and a sandy-haired man whirled around at her approach…but her gaze was focused on the figure lying on the bed.
Adam.His face bone-white. He was so still…too still.
His chest surged, and a hitched sob broke from her lips.
